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IOL News
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Is the SABC introducing car radio licence fees? The truth behind the disinformation
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has labelled social media reports about a car radio licence fee as disinformation Image: Karen Sandison/IndependentNewspapers The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has labelled social media reports about a car radio licence fee as disinformation, aimed at causing panic among South Africans. This follows a fake statement that went viral on social media, falsely attributed to the SABC, claiming the broadcaster would introduce car radio licences due to a dramatic decline in TV licence revenue, exacerbated by the rise of streaming services like Netflix. In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, the public broadcaster expressed concern over the "fabricated and misleading media statement" and clarified that there is no directive or policy within the SABC supporting such a proposal. "The facts are the SABC has not issued any media statement or made any public pronouncement on a car radio licence fee. The SABC would like to refute this disinformation with the contempt it deserves, as there is no SABC directive or policy that aligns to this," the statement read. The public broadcaster stressed that the current TV licence system remains unchanged and applies only to television sets as per the Broadcasting Act 4 of 1999 and TV Licence Regulations (2004). "Any changes to this framework require legislative amendments and broad consultation." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ IOL previously reported that the streaming platform SABC Plus continues to gain momentum, with the public broadcaster announcing that it has reached one million registered users. The statement further stated that disinformation is aimed at causing panic and destabilising the SABC at a critical time. "This disinformation is aimed at causing panic and destabilising the SABC, at a critical time where the organisation is celebrating its 1 million subscribers on its OTT platform, SABC Plus" IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
SABC introduces 'car radio licence' - is it true?
An announcement that SABC is implementing a mandatory 'car radio licence' is making the rounds on social media – but how true is it? In a press statement circulating on social media, the 'SABC' claimed that it was rolling out a car radio licence in an effort to 'generate revenue'. This comes amid a spike in streaming platforms like Netflix, and a decrease in viewers watching both the SABC and pay-per-view channels on DStv. According to the statement, it quoted a section from the Telecommunications Act that claimed all motor vehicle owners were required to have car radio licences, regardless of whether they used them or not. It stated that failure to pay the licence would result in a fine or 90 days in jail. Needless to say, South Africans on social media were shocked – and fooled – at the supposed new claims. @BafanaSurprise: 'This level of desperation by our government is really shocking. These People have mastered the art of milking the poor!' @Pieterv32285001: 'This is ridiculous! I never listen to SABC radio- why should I pay for a license?' @mehlulisizwe: 'Zimbabwe 2.0' A quick search on X quickly revealed that the post went viral in 2023. At the time, the national broadcaster deemed it fake news. The SABC again posted on its social media platforms: 'This is disinformation. The SABC is not considering implementing a car radio licence. 'This post is fabricated and does not reflect the policies, corporate plans, and values of the SABC.' It added that licence systems remained limited to televisions, as stipulated in the Broadcasting Act 4 of 1999 and TV Licence Regulations (2004). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
